Adult Faith Formation embraces the continual commitment to strengthen our discipleship in Jesus Christ through ongoing catechesis, prayer, sacrament, and service. The sole purpose of Adult Faith Formation programs is to help adults grow in the image of Christ, to engage all of us in our Catholic story, and help shape the faith of future generations by participating in Faith Formation here at Our Lady of The Lake!

Focus on Faith is faith formation for adults of all ages on Sunday mornings from 10:20 to 11:20 AM.

Focus on Faith provides the opportunity to join other adults in Bible Studies, Small Group Fellowship, Seminar Presentations, and other programs. All programs are drop-in with no registration or cost.

Each Week, Beginners Nursery is offered for parents attending the 9:00 AM and/or Focus on Faith events. For more information, visit Beginners.

Upcoming Focus on Faith Opportunities

Every Sunday

Explore the Sunday Readings

Join us for video presentations by Dr. Brant Pitre, exploring the First Century Christian understanding of today's Scripture readings and how it applies to us today.

Parish Center, Bethlehem Room

September 15 & 22

Inter-Faith Dialogue

Join Fr. Suresh Almaraj as he discusses the Church's attitude on inter-faith dialogue prior to Vatican II, the new breakthrough since Vatican II, and the present day situation toward inter-faith dialogue. Come to one or both!

Parish Hall, Carpeted Area

September 29

All Church ACTS Return Lunch

Join the ACTS Men's retreatants for a lunch after the 11:30 AM Mass.

Parish Hall

October 6

The Rosary

The Rosary is a wonderful gift from God to the Catholic Church. Discover its rich meaning and traditions. Join us to learn more about praying with our Queen Mother and the effects it can have on our daily lives.

Parish Hall, Carpeted Area

First Reconciliation Meeting, Option 1

All parents of children preparing for the First Communion are asked to attend one of the meetings presented by Fr. John Kerns.

Studies on the Bible, Church History, and Catholic Biblical Foundations

Studies Beginning Fall 2019

Creed | Mondays | 10:00 AM-12:00 PM

September 23, 2019 - December 16, 2019

Pillar I: The Creed is a 12-Part program that will launch you on an amazing journey through the Catechism of the Catholic Church. You’ll learn how your personal journey fits into the remarkable story of salvation that we pray every Sunday in the Creed.

Join Julia Miller for an exploration of the Catholic understanding of the Book of Revelation. Jesus speaks directly to us about the hidden mysteries of the last days before his second coming. What is he saying to you and how does this apply to your life today?

Fulfilled explores the biblical roots of the Catholic Faith. It uncovers God’s consistent design for our worship of him and his relationship with us. Learn where the blueprint for the Catholic Faith was laid out in the Old Testament and how Jesus fulfilled it in the New Testament.

By purchasing the materials with the above link through Ascension Press you are automatically registered for the class.

Fulfilled Part 2 | Wednesdays | 11:00 AM-12:30 PM

November 6, 2019-January 15, 2020

Fulfilled explores the biblical roots of the Catholic Faith. It uncovers God’s consistent design for our worship of him and his relationship with us. Learn where the blueprint for the Catholic Faith was laid out in the Old Testament and how Jesus fulfilled it in the New Testament.

By purchasing the materials with the above link through Ascension Press you are automatically registered for the class.

EPIC: A Journey through Church History | Thursdays | 10:00 AM-12:00 PM

September 19, 2019 - March 19, 2020

Adventure, intrigue, rebellion, reform, and devotion! All these are found, not in the latest Hollywood blockbuster, but our own history, as shown in this exciting twenty-part series. Learn the exciting history of the Church throughout the years.

By purchasing the materials with the above link through Ascension Press you are automatically registered for the class.

Matthew: A King and His Kingdom | Thursdays | 7:00-9:00 PM

Begins September 19, 2019

Jeff Cavins describes how Jesus established his kingdom based on the Jewish history described in the Old Testament in this twenty-four-part study with a 100 page study guide written by Sarah Christmyer.

Come to know and understand the Mass like never before with Dr. Edward Sri. Learn why we say what we say and do what we do as Catholics. With freshly awakened eyes of faith, the words and gestures will be seen in a new light, leading to a richer, more fruitful worship experience.

Walk step-by-step with Christ from the Garden of Gethsemane to Calvary. Filmed in the Holy Land with Dr. Edward Sri, this five-part study reveals how Old Testament prophecies, messianic expectations, historical realities and powerful symbolism come together in awe-inspiring fashion to reveal God’s unfathomable love for us.

Walk step-by-step with Christ from the Garden of Gethsemane to Calvary. Filmed in the Holy Land with Dr. Edward Sri, this five-part study reveals how Old Testament prophecies, messianic expectations, historical realities and powerful symbolism come together in awe-inspiring fashion to reveal God’s unfathomable love for us.

Walk step-by-step with Christ from the Garden of Gethsemane to Calvary. Filmed in the Holy Land with Dr. Edward Sri, this five-part study reveals how Old Testament prophecies, messianic expectations, historical realities and powerful symbolism come together in awe-inspiring fashion to reveal God’s unfathomable love for us.

Small Groups are set groups of 8 to 12 adults who meet together on a regular basis. These groups may meet weekly, monthly, or anywhere inbetween for an ongoing basis or a set time, such as during Advent or Lent.

If you would like to join a Small Group, explore our current options on our Small Group Directory or contact Laura Patton to set up your own group.

If you would like to lead or help faciliate a Small Group contact Laura Patton to receive training and materials.

Formed

Life After Sunday

Walking w/Purpose

Ascension

Hearts Afire

Word on Fire

Renew

Formed

The best on Catholic Content all in one place: Sunday Readings, Bible Study, Spiritual Reflection, teen small groups, family small groups, movies, books, etc.

All parishioners have the opportunity to be subscribed to Formed. Click the button below to create your free account!

Walking with Purpose develops and delivers Bible studies to reach adult women, young adult women, and middle school girls. Walking with Purpose supports the use of their Bible studies in a variety of ways in order to lead hearts to Christ where He is found in Scripture.

All Hearts Afire: Parish-based programs from the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception (HAPP) is a bold and fresh approach to small group, parish-based, faith renewal programs. It is designed to help us live the complete Catholic life of faith, charity, and the sacraments. It is designed to set our hearts on fire with love of God and neighbor to inspire us to works of mercy in our families, parishes, and communities.

Welcome to the community of Our Lady of the Lake. We invite you to discover the depth and beauty of our Catholic faith - founded 2,000 years ago by Jesus Christ and embraced by more than 1.2 billion people across the globe.

If you have questions and would like to learn more, please complete our information sheet online here or contact Laura, Director of Adult Faith Formation, at 503-636-7687. Our 2019-2020 sessions begin September 18 at 7:00 PM in the Parish Center. We welcome inquiries year round.

Awakening Faith is a program that helps returning and questioning Catholics explore, refresh, and deepen their faith and develop a very real experience of God. Jesus gave us the Church for a reason and we need to explore that reason.

Awakening Faith meets on Thursday nights, 7:00-8:30 PM, in the Parish Center Library. No RSVP or registration required. Feel free to call Margaret for more information or to find out when the next sessions begin.

Because the Sacrament of Confirmation is one of the three Sacraments of Initiation and is the way God pours out his strength and wisdom to us, you are encouraged to be fully initiated into the Catholic Church prior to receiving other Sacraments (i.e. marriage) or being a Godparent.

Are you an active adult Catholic who has not yet been confirmed?

We understand that there are many reasons adult Catholics have not yet received the Sacrament of Confirmation. Our Lady of the Lake invites you to participate in an adult focused preparation program to complete this Sacrament.

Email and Text Message Scams: Some Our Lady of the Lake parishioners and staff members have been targeted by email and text scams. Because of our public visibility, churches and other non-profits can be appealing targets for these online solicitations. Everyone should be diligent.

Please be aware that you will never receive a personal email or text message claiming to come from Fr. John Kerns (or any other staff member) which asks you to do a "favor" for them, to purchase gift cards, or to contribute directly to a Go Fund Me or similar account. If you should receive such an email or text that seems suspicious, please use caution or contact the parish office before responding. When the parish does send information about parish contributions and other appeals, they will always come through official communication channels with full identification that they are from the parish.